To strengthen the bilateral relationship between India and Oman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the presence of Oman Sultan and welcomes the sultan with warmth gesture at Hyderabad house in New Delhi. Reportedly Prime Minister of India is going to host a luncheon to show positive signal from India’s side for future collaborations.
The Oman Sultan’s three-day State visit to India is equally significant for both nations to link up strategic partnerships and to built trust between both of the nations. A common proverb “In international relations there is no permanent friends and foes only interest prevails.” Over the last decades, India’s foreign policy has shifted from maintaining statuesque position to interest driven stand. Besides India has developed a ‘Vasudeva Kutumbakam’ mindset in dealing with continents including Asia and Africa.
Between India and Oman, both country shares a similar historical, cultural and economic relationship of older than 3000 years. The channel of diplomacy was forged in 1955 and transformed into a strategic partnership in 2008. Oman offers a lucrative defence cooperation to India and a golden option to develop the relationship for further engagements. This state visit by an Omani ruler in 26 years is the foremost state visit from the gulf nation. During the current visit both countries recognised their yearlong bonhomie and cherished their common ethos.
Significantly, India and Oman inked on five documents which are based on Financial Intelligence and the National Centre for Financial Information to restrict money laundering. Both head of the state have considered the importance of terrorism and its ramifications. Hence, they have vouched for opting necessary steps to prevent terrorism jointly. In place of terrorism both have endorsed their shared human values such as; harmony, peace, tolerance, tranquillity, bonhomie and mutual coexistence. A vision document titled, ‘A joint Partnership for the future’ touching all grounds of development is endorsed and accepted firmly. This vision document indicates multiple fields including Digital connectivity, maritime security, hospitality, medical tourism, agriculture and food security for enhancing both country’s progress.
Moreover, India and Oman are keen on expanding their investment endeavours, as the joint statement have shown interest in diversifying their investment proposals and appreciated their third Joint Investment Fund. As these are pivotal areas to harness the growth of Oman, Gulf region and India for increasing the pace of economic outcome.
To upgrade the economic relationship, both countries should also focus on neutralising maritime obstacles for navigating seamless transaction of commercial ship and cargo vessels over the ocean region. India is monitoring the area and able to minimise the threats from Yemen military forces recently. India promises to reopen historic maritime voyage to Oman sailing through Mandvi to Muscat tentatively in 2025-26. This historic linkage is a symbol of people-to-people connections and exchange of ideas at various levels. Prime Minister of India and Foreign secretary are emphasising upon the renewing old ties by reconnecting ancient routes.
The late sultan Qaboos’ visit in 1997 to India,Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi’s visit to the Arabian Peninsular in 2018 and Sultan’s visit in 2023 has reinstated the diplomacy channel between both states for improving delegation level talks in the gulf region. During the ongoing visit, the Sultan of Oman has praised India’s commendable presidency under G20 and India’s role as one of the vibrant leaders of developing countries.
Oman is keen to formulate deep ties with India for future upgradation, in line with this both parties signed a slew of MoUs to heighten the notable friendship.Amidst geopolitical volatility amounted by ongoing Israel -Palestinian crisis, Oman and India have reflected a promising outlook to draw a viable diplomatic stability in the gulf and Asian region.
